I was at the Superdome in New Orleans, watching my Razorbacks fall behind 28-7 to Ohio State in the first half of the Sugar Bowl. Fueled by emotion and a couple of beers, I said, “Bobby Petrino has got to go.”

A co-worker who sat next to me that night and rooted for the Buckeyes remembers the moment well.

However, I didn’t really want Petrino to go. Arkansas made an inspired comeback before losing 31-26. It was the Hogs’ first BCS bowl. From the ashes of the Houston Nutt regime, Petrino rebuilt a once-proud program. A bright future beckoned.

But I say it again today. And I mean it now. Bobby Petrino has got to go.

Petrino lied about his motorcycle crash and his female passenger, then admitted having an inappropriate relationship.

Bottom line: If Petrino’s wife can’t trust him, how can he convince a recruit’s family to trust him?

I’ve been a diehard fan for 40 years, my emotions soaring or crashing with the Hogs’ fate. But I’m no financial donor or booster. If Petrino keeps his job, all I can do to protest is quit supporting Razorbacks football until he’s gone: no talking the Hogs up, no watching the games, no purchasing football-related items. There are many other ways to spend fall Saturdays in Jacksonville.

Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. P.J. O'Rourke

1083 points

Grendel53

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 @ 7:05 am

To those posters who hold that the personal does not impinge on professional, I think you're over-looking 2 issues. There is the "nepotism" angle. He hired her to work for him on MARCH 28th. I assume it was a quid pro quo, jellyroll for payroll. Anti-nepotism polices are sound business practices. Then there is the lying isssue, to wit, he lied to his employer about the incident (just me, no one else involved). Plus involving his "security detail", a STATE employed Trooper, which is being investigated. He has materially violated his contract, without even citing the "disrepute/morals" clause.
Really, Arky Nation, you knew what you were hiring, a liar, a dissembler, an amoral guy. So you'll keep him on with a fine and suspension, then piously decry the sad state of intercollegiate athletics with wringing hands and indignant voice. It would take real courage to fire him, I don't see it happening.

It's hard to soar with the eagles when you're working with a bunch of turkeys

44 points

dafish

Sunday, April 8, 2012 @ 9:07 am

SOS,

what the hell are you talking about? You mean him leaving the Bills out of principle? A guy who was HC for 2 years then left when management made a bunch of changes that would have basically rendered him impotent as a head coach, such as bringing in Marv Levy to run things? It'd be the same as the Gators all of a sudden saying Steve Spurrier will be Assistant AD in charge of Football Operations.

Sorry, SOS, but 1 does not constitute a pattern, no matter what you may believe. Also, Mularkey bounced around as an offensive coordinator or position coach for all of those years til he got the HC gig in Jax. I think he's more than put in his time.

Now, by personal life, I assume you're talking about his adult son who currently attends college getting arrested. How is that Mularkey's fault? And not sure if you read my post or not, but I think I made it pretty clear by saying 'feigned moral outrage' that I did not care about Petrino's personal life, as that's a battle he and his family will have to hash out.

But, by all means, spin and tell the story you wish so you can go on feeling better about yourself.

@ dafish What you say here, does it hold true for Mullarkey? Do Jag fans trust the quitter? LOL Or is this the ole "double standard" again?
Rush to judgement? What ever happened to it's his "personal life"?

Are you like the chattering gossipers, knowing nada yet first to dump on someone else?

HC's used to be paragons of virture. Someone to emulate. Now, like presedential candidates, every move is scrutinized. Every single move.

I think Petrino is an absolute dirtbag. As @dafish stated, he has been consistently deceitful to people who mistakenly trusted him (Falcons fans, Louisville fans, and now Arkansas fans) and turned his back on those same people for what he felt were greeener fields.

@jax runner: Him having an affair should have no bearing whatsoever on his ability to coach. If he can still raise money for the school, can coach, and recruit, that is what matters. Keep in mind he did not do anything criminal. His relationship is between he and his wife. I dont know many people that would lose their jobs because they cheated on their spouse.

As far as the article, you cant be serious. Do you really think a potential recruit cares whether the coach cheats on his wife in making his decision as to whether to go to Ark on not? If so you are really out of touch with kids today. Kids look at what situation gives them the most exposure and will get them to the NFL.